Hello and welcome to another edition of A Slice Of Soap. There’s still time to enter this week’s caption competition so get scribbling and make us all laugh.What’s going on in the soaps this week? Let’s find out (spoilers ahead).

EastEnders w/e Friday 23 April

Before we talk about Masood, the news that EastEnders is trimming its cast won’t come as too much of a surprise. The only thing I can’t decide is whether it’s the recession or the producers finally realising how much dead wood the show’s carrying.

Six characters, including Minty Peterson, Charlie Slater and student Libby Fox, are out. Tiana Benjamin is leaving so Chelsea will be written out too. Where does this leave Denise Fox (played by the wonderful Diane Parish)? The other characters getting their P45s are Danny Mitchell, student Adam Best and Libby’s grandmother Liz Turner.

Let’s see what’s going on with those that remain, shall we? Masood struggles to deal with what he’s seen… well, it’s not everyday you see the son you think is straight in the arms of another man. Ben tries to leave Walford. Pat and Peggy argue about their campaigns for local office (of course they do – sigh).

Fatboy’s frustrated when his ice cream van breaks down. Shirley and Phil argue about how best to deal with Ben’s bullies. Syed resolves to tell everyone the truth once and for all. Chelsea and Amira both take a pregnancy test and Fatboy upsets Whitney over a T-shirt.

Chelsea makes a surprise discovery. Syed’s torn between his heart and his head. Whitney manages to get revenge on Fatboy. Meanwhile, rethinking his position, Syed reluctantly admits to Christian that he needs to respect his peers – so, will he come clean and tell the truth, or not?

Also on EastEnders this week:

Harvey plays games with Pat and Peggy Max pays Jack a visit in hospital Dr Steele meets Ronnie in The Vic

Emmerdalew/e Friday 23 April

I’ve got to admit, I haven’t really taken to the Bartons in the way that I took to the Wyldes – they’re just so ordinary in comparision. Not even a drug problem for troubled Holly Barton has heightened my interest. But the brunette, sacked from Home Farm after giving coke to Maisie, is going to spiral out of control and get hooked. Bet it won’t be as good as Jimmy Corkhill’s heroin addition in Brookside – that’s one for the old school soap fans.

Back to Emmerdale and Carl’s floored when Coleen turns up to take the kids. Aaron worries that Adam will blow his cover. Sam refuses to make things up with Zak. Carl decides he won’t give up his kids without a fight. Paddy hopes Adam will keep Aaron’s secret. Natasha attempts to find an investor to help ease her financial worries. Aaron’s not happy when Jackson oversteps the mark in the pub, but how far will he go to keep his secret? Carl feels betrayed when Chas urges the kids be truthful about where they want to live.

Nikhil persuades Jai to consider investing in Home Farm. Meanwhile, devastated that his secret is out, Aaron feels like he can no longer go on living. Natasha’s intrigued when Declan suggests another investor. Adam discovers Aaron in the garage, but is it too late? Jimmy’s surprised to find Nicola and Carl getting on. Chas blames Paddy for Aaron’s suicide attempt. Natasha’s relieved to have Declan as her new partner. Spencer’s heartbroken about his date.

Also on Emmerdale this week:Holly’s parents are uneasy about RozPaddy is wracked with guilt and shock

Diane’s unhappy about Charlie’s plans

Coronation Streetw/e Friday 23 April

In an exclusive interview with The People, Corrie actor Jack P Shepherd has been talking about his role as street brat David Platt. He thinks that David’s being too nice at the moment and is eagerly awaiting being bad again. Viewers have seen David’s anguish over his mother Gail being in jail, awaiting trial for the murder of husband Joe McIntyre. However, there’s no need for Jack to worry – something tells me that David will be back in full brat-effect very soon. I love David Platt – he cracks me up.

Distracted while working on Tyrone’s car, Kevin puts him and Molly in great danger as they prepare to see her father Diggory. Anna and Eddie receive shocking news about Gary. Lloyd gets a surprise when he follows Cheryl. As Molly and Tyrone set off down a country lane, Tyrone’s helpless as his car brakes fail. Oh dear – can you imagine how that will look to Molly? Could she possibly think that Kevin would try to kill her?

Steve and Becky make an exciting decision. Sophie and Sian struggle to be apart. Fiz worries that John’s plan has been discovered. Molly is rushed to hospital. Teresa finds out about Lloyd and Cheryl. Sunita gives Sophie advice about her love life.

A desperate Anna and Eddie try to find Gary. Sophie reluctantly goes on another date with Lee. Rita and Audrey call a truce – I should think so too! Sophie and Sian confess their feelings. A defiant Molly has some shocking news for Kevin.

Also on Coronation Street this week:Lloyd sees Cheryl enter a strip barRosie gives Sophie a makeover Ken decides on an attic conversion

Hollyoaks w/e Friday 23 April

There’s a lot of uncertainty in soapland at the moment; ratings for some shows aren’t great and cast and personnel changes are unsettling. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Hollyoaks. Ex-Emmerdale star Sheree Murphy said the cast are trying to be "positive" about the future of the soap under new producer Paul Marquess. The actress, who will play Eva Strong, played down reports that the cast are afraid the soap will get the axe, like The Bill, following a fall in ratings. We shall see…

Is there any excitement this week? Well, Ricky and Martin’s secret looks like it’s about to be exposed. Kris is torn – should he save Ricky… or himself? Neville’s furious that Josh is back in the family home. Charlotte’s contemplating her first year of university. Newt’s jealous as he watches Ste and Rae together. Still struggling with his brother’s death, Zak’s finding it difficult to raise any enthusiasm over wedding plans. Spencer’s feeling guilty and paranoid after the questioning over Holly’s disappearance.

Carmel tries to stay positive about the wedding. Zak and Michaela continue to argue about his plans to join the army. Lauren’s desperate to reunite her family. Spencer’s experiencing first date nerves as he prepares for his blind date… will his mystery date have a change of heart? Zak’s wracked with guilt about his one night stand with Laura. Malachy offers himself for the role as Calvin’s best man… does Malachy have an ulterior motive?

Also on Hollyoaks this week:Rae’s forced to decide between Ste and NewtThe McQueens guard their home Charlotte’s on a high after her night with Laura

That’s it for me, I’m out of here. Join me on Wednesday for more soap news and gossip and don’t forget to try this week’s caption competition. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me (but keep it clean!).